A love of planes which took off in childhood led an aviation fanatic to acquire two rare Concorde models – after waiting 25 years to buy them!
But now the keen plane-spotter is parting with his 8.9inft (273cm) models of the world’s first supersonic passenger airliner due to health issues. They’re set to go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers in October and together could achieve £16,000.
Steve Fulford, valuer at the firm’s Derbyshire saleroom, said: “The models are fantastic collectors’ items. They were commissioned for promotional purposes by British Airways in the 1960s/70s and both were displayed at Harrods in London in the 1970s and 80s, Concorde’s heyday.
“Only a handful were ever made. Our vendor managed to acquire two of them after waiting for more than 20 years. One of his models is thought to be unique. Of the other examples known to be in existence, one is in a Cornwall museum while the whereabouts of another five are unknown.”
Set for auction is a fibreglass and plastic composite model of a British Airways Concorde, G-BOAC. It features a cutaway section showing Concorde’s seating and cabin arrangement. It’s believed to be the only model of its type and size in existence. Produced for British Airways’ headquarters, its estimate is £7,000-£8,000. The other model, with no interior view, is believed to be one of only seven made in its size, estimate £6,000-£8,000.
Steve said: “Interest in Concorde, a French-British collaboration celebrating engineering excellence, has intensified. Operations ceased in 2003 as development costs meant Concorde could never be profitable. But people are fascinated by the plane which launched passenger services in 1976. It offered a maximum cruising speed of 2,179 km (1,354 miles) per hour, more than twice the speed of sound. It famously flew from London to New York in two hours 52 minutes and 59 seconds.
“In August some Concorde/British Airways memorabilia amassed by a former air hostess achieved a premium-inclusive total of £3,757 at Hansons from a £400-£600 guide. The collection sparked global media coverage and jetted off to the United States. So hopes are high for these important Concorde models.
“Unfortunately, the 40-year-old Worcestershire aviation enthusiast who is parting with them never fulfilled his dream of flying on Concorde but he did achieve his teenage ambition to own the models.”
The seller said: “I would have sold a kidney to get them. They’re beautiful. Thanks to aviation connections, my dad sent a message to their owner saying, ‘whenever you come to sell those Concordes please contact us’. Some 25 years we finally got a phone call!”
The seller’s childhood love of planes was nurtured by his father, also a keen plane-spotter. The family lived around Manchester and close to Woodford Aerodrome, which used to host some of the world’s biggest air shows.
The vendor said: “Growing up, my dad occasionally took me out of school to go plane-spotting at Manchester to see Concorde. Sometimes we went to London Heathrow in the 1980s/90s. We also went to Woodford, now the Avro Heritage Museum. I saw Nimrods, a retired maritime patrol aircraft, and British Aerospace ATP aircraft among many others. Aviation has always been in my blood.
“When I got older I started collecting aviation parts and memorabilia. I also began my Personal Pilot’s Licence. However, tragedy prevented me taking to the skies. After losing my wife in a car accident, I sold my water leak detection business to become a full-time parent. But I never let go of my hobby.
“The Concorde models were originally donated to British Airways pilot/flight engineer John Lidiard, a passionate supporter of Concorde. Mr Lidiard later gifted the models to a man known to my father. Decades later, the Concorde models taxied into my aviation man cave.”
Other Concorde-related rarities set for auction include a captain’s hat and briefcase, flight tickets, boarding passes and in-flight glassware, all gained from people who flew on Concorde in the 1970s and 80s.
The seller is also parting with signed Vulcan aircraft pictures and two models of the Nimrod MRA4 aircraft which was scrapped by the government. The models were commissioned for the Ministry of Defence to aid training.
Steve said: “Due to health reasons, our client has decided to part with much of his collection, including the Concordes models which he has owned for more than two years. For enthusiasts who have amassed hobby-related treasures over several decades, it’s an enormously difficult decision.
“The seller hopes his collection will attract buyers who will appreciate his models and memorabilia as much as he does. His dream is that a museum will secure them to help future generations understand aviation history and the part Britain has played in creating world-beating aircraft.”
Auction information
The aviation memorabilia will be offered in Hansons’ October 24 Diecast, Model Railway, Collectables and Toys Auction. Entries invited for the next specialist sale.
Enquiries/valuations: Steve Fulford: [email protected] or call 01283 733988.
Catalogues/bidding: hansonslive.co.uk | the-saleroom.com | Catalogue due live Oct 17
